What is a Certified Farmers' Market?

The Certified Farmers Market concept is an effort to re-establish the link between farmers and consumers in California. Certified Farmers' Markets (or CFM) are places where the consumer can buy fresh produce directly from the farmer. More specifically, a CFM is a location approved by the county agricultural commissioner where certified farmers can sell products they are certified for. In order for a famer/grower to be certified, they must grow what they sell, they can not sell anything they do not grow themself. Farmers Markets opperate in accordance with rules and regulations set in 1977 by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. When this first started, there were only a handful of CFM's in CA. Today there are over 350 communities with CFM's and the numbers are still growing.

CFM's provide many benefits for small farmers, consumers, and the community. For farmers, the markets provide an outlet suited for moving smaller volumes of produce, creating a marketing channel outside the traditional large volume system. CFM's also allow the farmer to sell field run produce not restricted to all of the packing and shipping rules. The farmer is able to pick tree and field ripened fruit and vegetables and sell them directly to the market.

You, the consumer benefits greatly by shopping at the markets. The number one reason is quality. You can't get any fresher than by shopping at a CFM. The fruit and vegetables come straight from the field to you. There is also a considerable cost savings that you will notice by shopping at a CFM. Attending a CFM can be a fun family event too. Exposing children to a CFM can be educational and fun!

The community benefits from CFM's in many ways also. CFM's are non-profit community service organizations which contribute to the social and economic welfare of the city or town they operate in. The markets give a strong sense of community identity, bringing people from diverse ethnic and other backgrounds together. They also unite rural and urban segments of the population together. The CFM's can be very educational too. The consumer is able to learn more about what they are buying. They can directly ask the grower or seller about growng sources, nutritional sources, and other agricultural related topics.

The Stockton Farmers Market opened in July 1979 under the Crosstown Freeway. CFM's, including ours, have grown since they were first started, getting bigger and better each year. With your continual support, we will see them around for many years to come. They have truly become the face and spirit of the communities they serve. If you have never been to a CFM, visit one today.